Government and NDIS support

General payments

There are a number of government payments you may be eligible for that can help cover the cost of sending your child to school, including:

• Family Tax Benefit (FTB)
• Parenting Payment

Other programs for more specific situations are detailed below. 

Child care subsidy

For help with the costs of care before and after school hours, including vacation care, Services Australia offers 2 benefits as part of its Child Care Subsidy program.

Eligibility requirements and the amount you receive depends on your circumstances, but will usually take into account:

• your family's income
• the hourly rate cap based on the type of approved child care you use and your child’s age
• the hours of activity you and your partner do.

Learn more about the Child Care Subsidy at Services Australia.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Children with disability or additional learning needs have the same rights to education as all other children.

The NDIS can fund reasonable and necessary costs that enables a child with a disability to go to school, including:

• support with daily living activities at school like eating and getting around
• specialised training of teachers
• non-educational therapies delivered during school time.

Find out how the NDIS can help in educating a child with disability.

Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme

The Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme is a group of payments for parents and carers of children who cannot go to a local state school because of:

• geographical isolation
• disability
• special needs.

Learn more about the Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme at Services Australia.